Bored with my job
July 21, 2016 12:17 AM Subscribe
Too good to leave, too bad to stay: job edition.
For over a year now, I've been feeling stuck in my job in corporate communications at a large company. I've been at the company for about three years, and while my coworkers and the culture are great, there's very little career growth. Most people only move up through politics or by being part of an inner circle that is close to the founder.
Since that isn't me, my career has stalled at this company. I'm not learning, and just plain bored. I find my work ethic slipping because I'm not being challenged, which is worrying.
On the other hand, the company is stable. My coworkers are nice people. I get a 401K match and great benefits. I'm saving a ton of money.
I'm trying to figure out what my next steps are, and mostly have a jumble of ideas:
- The best thing would be to leave for another job, but I'm scared that it'll be more of the same (more politics), or even worse. I've also worked at more toxic companies, so while I'm bored, it's preferable to being yelled at.
- Maybe I could take a short sabbatical to recharge and reset. I'm pretty burnt out.
- I'd love to quit outright and spend some time focusing on what I want to do next. However, in this economy, I don't feel comfortable doing that, especially because my partner and I are saving up for a downpayment on a home.
As you can see, I'm paralyzed in terms of what my next steps could be. Hive mind, hope me! When you were encountered a situation like this yourself, what helped for you?
(If it matters: I'm in my mid-30s in a major city on the West Coast.)
For over a year now, I've been feeling stuck in my job in corporate communications at a large company. I've been at the company for about three years, and while my coworkers and the culture are great, there's very little career growth. Most people only move up through politics or by being part of an inner circle that is close to the founder.
Since that isn't me, my career has stalled at this company. I'm not learning, and just plain bored. I find my work ethic slipping because I'm not being challenged, which is worrying.
On the other hand, the company is stable. My coworkers are nice people. I get a 401K match and great benefits. I'm saving a ton of money.
I'm trying to figure out what my next steps are, and mostly have a jumble of ideas:
- The best thing would be to leave for another job, but I'm scared that it'll be more of the same (more politics), or even worse. I've also worked at more toxic companies, so while I'm bored, it's preferable to being yelled at.
- Maybe I could take a short sabbatical to recharge and reset. I'm pretty burnt out.
- I'd love to quit outright and spend some time focusing on what I want to do next. However, in this economy, I don't feel comfortable doing that, especially because my partner and I are saving up for a downpayment on a home.
As you can see, I'm paralyzed in terms of what my next steps could be. Hive mind, hope me! When you were encountered a situation like this yourself, what helped for you?
(If it matters: I'm in my mid-30s in a major city on the West Coast.)
Yeah, you should start thinking about your next steps while you have a job. At most "real" jobs I've had you can phone in your work after the first couple months and only really work a few hours a day. Then you have plenty of energy to volunteer/study for the GRE/network/apply to jobs/work a fun side job. A boring job feels very heavy, and actively exploring your options can reduce this (in my experience). The crapy things about exciting jobs is they may not be as stable or high paying. Racking in the savings for you and your partner while you explore other avenues is a great way to have it all in this moment.
posted by Kalmya at 5:25 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Kalmya at 5:25 AM on July 21, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm pretty risk adverse, so I'd stay in your position and sock away money for that down payment.
To help you focus on your goal (saving for a house), you could create and print out a little chart of your progress (weekly? monthly? daily?) to hang by your desk or put in a convenient drawer to peep at when you need a boost.
Does you job have or allow you to take classes or certifications or the like? Is there a local or national conference that's somewhat related to what you do or the industry you're in? A class, even if it's a one-off (but better if it's a multi-session thing) will give you something else to focus you energy on. Conferences can has a similar effect: getting you interested in different aspects of the industry, talking to new people, sharing ideas. Even if the class or conference isn't amazingly helpful career-wise, it'll be something that gets you away from your same-old, same-old and help you make it through that time.
Finally, start looking for something else. Network, get in touch with old colleagues or classmates, apply for other jobs. Looking for a new job from a position of safety is much better than when you're unemployed, whether deliberate or not.
posted by carrioncomfort at 11:49 AM on July 22, 2016
To help you focus on your goal (saving for a house), you could create and print out a little chart of your progress (weekly? monthly? daily?) to hang by your desk or put in a convenient drawer to peep at when you need a boost.
Does you job have or allow you to take classes or certifications or the like? Is there a local or national conference that's somewhat related to what you do or the industry you're in? A class, even if it's a one-off (but better if it's a multi-session thing) will give you something else to focus you energy on. Conferences can has a similar effect: getting you interested in different aspects of the industry, talking to new people, sharing ideas. Even if the class or conference isn't amazingly helpful career-wise, it'll be something that gets you away from your same-old, same-old and help you make it through that time.
Finally, start looking for something else. Network, get in touch with old colleagues or classmates, apply for other jobs. Looking for a new job from a position of safety is much better than when you're unemployed, whether deliberate or not.
posted by carrioncomfort at 11:49 AM on July 22, 2016
I had a job that had become a bit boring, although I loved the place and my coworkers. Decided to leave because I was worried that I wasn't developing new skills in the role and as a small work place, new opportunities that would fit me were few and far between.
I spent about two years working elsewhere, using it as an opportunity to try out a few different roles. I learned a lot in these new roles, although it felt like very hard work at times and not always enjoyable. I also enrolled in a part-time Masters program which I am really enjoying and has provided a whole different type of intellectual stimulation. But I did miss my coworkers and the cozy comfort of my old workplace.
But then a new role came up at my old workplace and I was rehired. The skills I got by going outside made me a more competitive candidate, and also place me in better stead should I need to move jobs again in the future. It was much better for me to have gone out and done something else with those two years, than sit there being cranky.
Are you avoiding playing the politics in the office that would get you higher up? (I tend to do this, but ultimately you need to play the game at some level). Do you have an end point for saving for the down payment? Do you or could you have some side projects that would give you a sense of engagement outside work?
posted by AnnaRat at 5:00 PM on July 22, 2016
I spent about two years working elsewhere, using it as an opportunity to try out a few different roles. I learned a lot in these new roles, although it felt like very hard work at times and not always enjoyable. I also enrolled in a part-time Masters program which I am really enjoying and has provided a whole different type of intellectual stimulation. But I did miss my coworkers and the cozy comfort of my old workplace.
But then a new role came up at my old workplace and I was rehired. The skills I got by going outside made me a more competitive candidate, and also place me in better stead should I need to move jobs again in the future. It was much better for me to have gone out and done something else with those two years, than sit there being cranky.
Are you avoiding playing the politics in the office that would get you higher up? (I tend to do this, but ultimately you need to play the game at some level). Do you have an end point for saving for the down payment? Do you or could you have some side projects that would give you a sense of engagement outside work?
posted by AnnaRat at 5:00 PM on July 22, 2016
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What I've done in a similar situation is resolve to leave for another job and focus my energies on networking and job hunting while doing the minimum at work. At this point, it seems like you're on autopilot at your current job, so this strategy could work well for you. The nice thing about it is that you have plenty of time to find the right next step while still having an income coming in, and you won't feel so bored because you'll have a project -- even though it's your own.
When you do find something new, see if you can take a long break in between. That's often the easiest time to take a mini-sabbatical. Ask for enough time to give notice at work and then take 3-4 weeks off before starting a new job.
I think the first thing you should do is focus on identifying what you want. What's your dream job? What are you looking for? What have you liked and disliked about jobs in the past? And then you can start exploring and talking to people about other opportunities that might fit with that.
posted by chickenmagazine at 2:33 AM on July 21, 2016 [2 favorites]